A one-day road tour that follows the scars of Ice Age megafloods through Vantage and the Channeled Scablands. Expect dramatic viewpoints, short interpretive walks, and stops at Ginkgo Petrified Forest and the Columbia Gorge.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You pull off the highway onto sun-baked sagebrush and the land opens like a page ripped free: gouged coulees, bleached basalt cliffs, and a river that still seems to remember the violence of its shaping. The air is dry, the horizon wide; wind pushes against you and the Columbia River threads the cut earth below.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
12 hours
Fitness Level
Low-moderate fitness OK; mostly seated travel with brief, low-elevation walks and short standing viewpoints
Wildlife
History
The region was reshaped by repeated Ice Age outburst floods that scoured basalt into the Channeled Scablands; native Wanapum people have long inhabited the Columbia River corridor.
Conservation
Scabland soils and river shorelines are fragile—stay on established paths, pack out trash, and respect private orchards and farmland.
Reserve your spot on the Scenic Landscapes Northwest Geology - Ice Age Floods Tour today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Pack water and electrolytes
Temperatures can spike and stops are short; carry a refillable bottle even if one is provided.
Sun protection matters
Wide open skies and reflective basalt mean sunscreen, sunglasses and a brimmed hat will keep you comfortable.
Wear sturdy shoes
Walks are short but uneven—closed-toe shoes with good soles reduce slips on rock and loose gravel.
Bring binoculars
Raptors and waterbirds are common along the Columbia; binoculars make wildlife and distant features clearer.
Reusable water bottle
Staying hydrated is critical on long drives and short, exposed walks.
Sunscreen & sunglasses
Protects against strong sun and glare off basalt and water.
summer
Sturdy walking shoes
Needed for uneven, rocky short trails at viewpoints.
Light wind shell
Wind along the Columbia can be biting—layering keeps you comfortable during stops.
spring